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Statement of Intent

Philip Cox
22 Sunnyhill Lane NW
Calgary, Alberta
CANADA
T2N 4P3

Phone:   403 283 3361
Cell:   403 616 9372
Skype:   phil.cox

What would I bring to the role of Board Member?  I’m passionate about this place and, after all these years, I still wake up feeling privileged to be part of an intentional community.  I have seen it through many ups and downs and from the vantage points of many different roles. I have been an active member of P&D since before it was P&D, and having that depth of history on the Board could be important at this time as we enter into the final stages of planning and start the work on the retrofit and new build.   I am excited to see this present Board bringing forward policies for “Spending” and to address “Member Concerns”.  I’m excited to hear ideas percolating on how to (re-)engage members. As a Board member I would support these initiatives. 

Were I to be elected to the Board, I would commit to these Priorities: 

  1. Establishing the personnel  committee to provide orientation to our property manager and to clearly define the expectations in the relationship between our membership, the property manager, and SACHA. 

  2. Ensuring that the Board supports and works well with all committees by having strong Board liaison roles. There was a time when committee chairs met a few times a year as a group, with members of the Board. This could be easily re-established and would go a long way to improving communication and coordination between committees.  

  3. Moving forward to update our Bylaws. I was on the working group that updated Bylaws the last time, and so I have some experience with this process.

In my mind, a healthy housing cooperative has three key attributes that need constant maintenance:  a robust body of bylaws/policy, well defined roles and responsibilities, and a store of “social capital” (think shared purpose, trust and reciprocity) that nourishes relationships across the membership. As we emerge from the bruising effects of the pandemic, I would do my level best to strengthen all three. 

Grounds Spring Update

Grounds has been getting more active as the weather warms up, and we are back to monthly meetings at the Playground. Meeting dates are flexible, so let us know if you want to attend a meeting and we’ll let you know when the next one is set.

Thanks to the Sunnyhill Membership who approved the proposal for murals on 2 of our garbage enclosures. Given the construction work on Sunnyhill Lane, the 4th Street location will be our first offering. We are presently working with Sunnyside Mural Prioject to find an artist to work with us.

It wouldn’t be June if there wasn’t the standard “Watch out for invasive species, especially Creeping Bellflower!” alert. Posters will be up on the dumpsters as a reminder of what CBF looks like. If you have any question about whether it’s in or around your yard, email Grounds and we’ll help with identification. Remember these plants need to be pulled out, not cut! We also have our intrepid “Gardening Club” crew back in action to take care of watering trees and planting/weeding Common space gardens.

Food Forest- a Grounds member had an inspiring and productive meeting with Jeremy from Sunshine Earthworks who helped us establish the Food Forest a few years ago. Generally he’s pleaded with how it’s progressing. Members should stay tuned for some working bee projects to reinvigorate the Fiid Forest this summer! We’re also planning to replace a few of the shrubs and one tree that have died back.

We’ll be doing a walk about with an arborist at the end of June to review the health of our trees. If you have concerns about any specific trees please email Grounds (shcgrounds@shaw.ca)

Yvonne on behalf of
Sunnyhill Grounds

Yard Sale Postponed

From Yvonne, on behalf of the grounds committee.

Rain, and the closure of 7th avenue at Sunnyhill Lane have prompted us to put the Yard Sale to next Sunday, June 12th. Environment Canada can’t promise good weather, but 7th ave is supposed to be open again which means customers can come easily down the sidewalk from Sunnyside and people driving in from Memorial Drive won’t get stuck in a traffic jam!

Everyone who had asked for a table is good to go for next Sunday, and anyone who was thinking “Darn I missed it!” can still call the office to request one.

So the request from the Grounds Committee still stands: if you have items that are in working order that you want to get rid of, save them for the “free stuff” table next week and don’t toss them in the bin this week! If they don’t get taken next week, we’ll bring them to a thrift store.

Parking permits for SHC members

Residents of Sunnyhill Housing Cooperative can apply for a City of Calgary residential permit for their vehicles which allows them to park in zone L, which is our community zone in Sunnyside. Meaning that they can park on street without observing the two hour parking limit.

This is the link for getting the permit:
https://www.calgaryparking.com/parkingpermits/howtoapply

Thanks!

Yvonne
On behalf of Sunnyhill Grounds

Announcement from Social Committee

Co-op Yard Sale June 5th

Get that spring cleaning and purging done, and hang on to those items for 2 more weeks. The Social Committee is resurrecting The Great Sunnyhill Co-op Yard Sale.
Sunday June 5th! 1:00-4:00

Strategically timed to happen BEFORE the dumpster arrives on June 6th, this is the opportunity to keep still-useful-to-someone items out of the landfill. The Yard Sale will take place along the pathways of our Common Space.

Tables are available if you have lots of items, but you can also just set ip a blanket if you like. Advertising will go out to the local community prior to the event.

If you have items to give away but don’t want to have a table, there will be a designated area for “free stuff”
(Make sure to come take a look!)


If you want to use a table from the garage, contact the Social Committee via the office (403-270-8405, or sunnyhill@shaw.ca) by June 3rd.

Post Yard-Sale Co-op Social Firepit

Sunday June 5th 5:00pm

Join your co-op neighbours for a drink and a hot dog, and maybe a roasted marshmallow or two over the fire pit, after everything is wrapped up from the yard sale in the afternoon.  Beef and veggie dogs, buns, chips, Craft brew and pop supplied by the Social Committee. 

Special Bonus: Friends are bringing cake and ice cream to celebrate Sherry K’s 65th birthday that day. Sherry has been a continually active member of Sunnyhill since the coop was 2 years old! Come join us to mark the event! 

Spring Dumpster: Available June 6–12

On behalf of the Grounds Committee.

The Spring Dumpster will be back on June 6th - 12th!

It will be in its usual spot in the one-bedroom units’ parking lot next to the playground (thanks again to Helen for the use of your parking stall!).

Please be respectful of others and PLACE your items in the bin, rather then tossing to maximize the available space for everyone. If the bin fills up before the end of the week, we will replace it with another!

Acceptable Items: Drywall, wood, cabinets, windows, doors, wiring, carpet, flooring, insulation, fixtures, piping, appliances, landscaping debris, standard household and business waste and all types of metal.

Prohibited Items: No hazardous material, no animal by products, no dirt, no toxic materials, no flammable chemicals, no gasoline or propane, no batteries, no Freon fridges or freezers, no air conditioners.

Also, please be aware that there is an additional charge for mattresses. If you have one to dispose of, please email Grounds to let us know.

If you have items that are in good condition, please consider posting them to the Facebook page so they may find a new home. 

In the meantime, please remember items are not allowed to be left outside of the garbage enclosures. This includes yard waste. If you have yard waste to dispose of, please contact Grounds so we may assist you. 

Lastly, if you need help moving something, we’d be happy to lend a hand! Just send Grounds an email: shcgrounds@shaw.ca

No Mow May

Submitted by Eric Moschopedis.

Hello Neighbours!

I wanted to share an article I found on the Guardian about a movement in the UK called “No Mow May”. The idea is to not mow your lawn in May to provide pollinator species access to spring sustenance. In Calgary we might need a “No Move June” because of our later spring.

I’m the article it says:

“One 100 sq metre area [1000 sq feet] of unmowed lawn, according to their plant study, would produce enough pollen to stock up six mining bee brood cells and enough nectar sugar to meet the needs of six bumblebees a day.”

I know that Sunnyhill has clear policies around yard maintenance, but perhaps letting our lawns grow untouched during the first month of spring, just by default, might not contravene these policies. Might mean an experiment!

If and when we shift to a more sustainable ground cover, let’s hope that we can play a season-long role in sustaining pollinator and bee species in our 3.3 acres of land.

Side note: I can’t help but think about the cumulative effect on our finances by not cutting the grass in our common areas for a month.

Here is the article:

https://amp.theguardian.com/environment/2022/apr/29/no-mow-may-gardeners-not-to-cut-lawns-wild-plants-insects

Federal Budget 2022 - BIG news for Co-operatives

Submitted by Belle Auld

On April 7th, the federal government released its 2022 budget and announced that $1.5 billion is being allocated to building more co-operative housing across Canada. This is the first investment in the development of housing co-ops in over 30 years and this program will help create 6,000 new homes!

For more detailed information, check out this article by the Co-operative Housing Federation of Canada.

Board of Directors - Upcoming elections and information about Board positions and responsibilities

Upcoming Elections for the Board of Directors

Submitted by Buzz Viberg on behalf of the Board

The Coop will be electing a new Board at the June AGM and we would really appreciate members of the Coop considering putting themselves forward. Three members of the Board will be staying on for another year, ideally we would hope to vote in at least another four.

During my two-year term on the Board, I have learned a lot! It has been a very challenging time on many fronts, and I think COVID definitely influenced this. It is my hope that the new Board will be able to find the 'middle ground' moving forward, drawing on the wisdom of the past but also being flexible enough to adapt to the changing dynamics, reflected not only in the Coop but in our wider community and globally.

Thank you for your consideration, if any questions please feel free to contact me at 403-283-9443.

Coop Housing Board of Directors Descriptions 

Submitted by Belle Auld on behalf of the Education Committee

  • Chair: this position provides leadership to the board and the co-operative. The chair serves as chair for all board and general meetings, maintains a strong relationship with management, and often serves as the face of the organization. The chair should be familiar with important policies and procedures governing co-operatives.

  • Vice-chair: this position is tasked with fulfilling duties assigned by the chair or filling in when the chair is not available.

  • Treasurer: this position is often combined with the secretary. The duties of the treasurer require some understanding of financial reporting and accounting practices and is often given to a manager or hired expert (e.g. an accountant) that can perform the duties efficiently. The treasurer often oversees the co-operative’s finances, filing the annual return, preparing a budget, and keeping the board and shareholders informed on financial matters.

  • Secretary: this position maintains the records of the co-operative including policies and procedures, meeting minutes, and an up-to-date membership list. In many co-ops, the secretary serves as a point of contact for members on matters including share redemption, submitting resolutions, or concerns with the co-op.

Coop Housing Board of Directors Responsibilities

The board of directors is central to the operation of a co-operative business. Directors discuss matters affecting the co-op, make decisions that shape and guide the co-op, and prepare information and recommendations to members to discuss and decide on. Much of what a board does is responsive, reacting to events, ideas, and opportunities facing the co-operative. It’s important for directors to think about the future, and look for ways to improve their practices and the co-op’s well-being. This list gives an overview of the important responsibilities of the board of directors:

 

  1. Manage financial matters of the co-operative: It’s important for the board to have a strong understanding of the co-op’s financial position. This can be done with support from staff or an accountant (depending on the size of the co-op). The board should lead the creation of an annual budget, monitor revenue and expenses, and present the annual return and budget back to the members at the annual meeting. Some members of the board will have signing authority on the co-op’s accounts and their signatures will be required for items like cheques, agreements, chequing accounts, annual returns, and applications.

  2. Strategic Planning: The board provides leadership to the organization and shapes its direction. It creates, updates, and maintains strategic plans that include the co-op’s agenda, goals, and key opportunities. The board should regularly identify projects and manage the co-op’s investments.

  3. Create policies and procedures: The board will create policies when first incorporating the co-op, and on an ongoing basis. Some policies will be created in response to the co-op’s business, members’ requests, or as challenges and opportunities arise. These policies relate to things like finances, membership, conflict of interest, information and technology, safety, and elections.

  4. Give the co-operative a voice: Both the board and the management will promote the co-op to the public. The board, as representatives of the members, should speak on behalf of the co-op when working with partners, funders, media, or other audiences. They should provide information to members at meetings and give direction to staff. It’s good to have a communications strategy for the board and management that outlines how the co-op communicates with other parties, so everyone is sharing a consistent message.

  5. Management: Depending on the size of the co-operative, the board may directly manage the day-to-day affairs. In larger co-ops, the board usually provides oversight to managers or an executive team. The board will have the final say on many important decisions and may have to deal with conflict or debate that could arise. For example, it’s the board’s job to decide how to allocate the co-op’s profits. To do this, it needs to take a number of things into consideration: adding to reserve funds, investing in the co-op, and distributing profit to members. Decisions like this can lead to conflict, but the co-op can help avoid this by including members in the discussion (and listening to their ideas).

  6. Engage the members: At the end of the day, the co-op exists to serve its members. The board should engage members in important decisions and happenings with the co-op. The board can help ensure members have a sense of ownership with their co-op by communicating openly with them

 

https://coopcreator.ca/resource/being-a-board-member-in-a-co-operative-business/



Mice Advice

Here are some recommendations to help prevent mice from being attracted to your unit. These recommendations are taken from an excerpt of a report provided to the Sunnyhill office.

  • Do not leaving any food on counters and don’t leave any dishes in sink overnight.

  • Clean up all cracks and crevices inside your home – crumbs in places like under the stove could keep mice coming back.

  • Place all dried goods inside your home, pantry, and shelves into bins with tight fitting lids.

  • If you see any mouse droppings inside your home, make sure they are cleaned up. Mice are creatures of habit and will go back to the same places as comfort areas.

  • Make sure all garbage/recycling inside your home is placed into bins that have tight fitting lids.

  • Do not move any of the interior bait stations left by the pest control contractor – they have been placed in high traffic areas.

  • Remove store bought traps and bait stations inside your home as they will be counterproductive to the pest control program if left out.

Education Committee Description and Update

Submitted by Belle Auld, on behalf of the Education Committee

The purpose of the Education Committee is to provide information to members and potential members.

Members
The Education Committee is responsible for the ongoing education of members regarding co-op policies and procedures. Note: we are currently working on updating the Sunnyhill Handbook.

Potential Members
Participation of our members is the backbone of SHC. It keeps members committed, connected, and involved in the operation and management of SHC. It is important that all members share equally in the running of our coop. Before members are accepted and living in SHC, it is critical they understand this. Note: we offer two potential member orientations a year. With the help of representatives from our committees, we try to cover everything a potential member should know before moving into the Coop.


Planning and Development Update

Submitted by Philip Cox, on behalf of the Planning and Development Committee.

Based on the membership’s “go-ahead” decision at the October 3rd General Meeting (see box below), our applications to CMHC and CFM for the green retrofit of existing buildings and for the 15-unit rebuild are assembled and ready to submit to funders for the development phase and construction. The snag we continue to face is with the City of Calgary over our tenure on the land after the 2039 end-date on our current lease. 

On the surface, little has changed after many months of discussion with the City. Up close, there are openings and glimmers of hope.

Last year, the City placed a value on the Sunnyhill site that made a land purchase unattainable. We shifted gears and began discussing a lease scenario. Late in the year, the City’s Real Estate and Development Services (REDS) indicated that a commercial land lease would amount to just over $1 million a year. This figure has subsequently been lowered, factoring in recent precedents in discounting for affordability as well as information that Sunnyhill provided. The discounted lease rate that emerged earlier this year narrowed the price gap for Sunnyhill but not by nearly enough, given what we can afford.

So where do we see those glimmers of hope?

  1. Our consultant, Lee, is completely on top of the issues we face with the City; his out-of-the-box thinking and sensitive stewardship are truly awesome

  2. Since the beginning of the year, we have been working with REDS senior staff who are demonstrating commitment to the file and a desire to find a mutually satisfactory solution; we meet every three weeks

  3. The REDS team is encouraging us to be creative in developing a formula and background argument for consideration

  4. There are multiple variables bearing consideration, including: the affordability thresholds used in the City’s calculations; the number of units to be considered “affordable”; the formula used to determine the discount on the lease value, and the “in-kind” value of non-cash commitments that might be inserted in the calculation.

Our challenge over the next couple of months is to refine our pro-forma calculations, make the case for a revision to the City’s own lease formulation, and build an overarching presentation that makes a compelling case for Sunnyhill to provide affordable housing options well beyond 2039. The final decision will belong to City Council, but the backing of City Administration is a critical first step. 

Planning and Development remains focused on being ready to start the work in 2023, at least for the retrofit component of the project. As you can appreciate, a lot of steps and permissions stand between now and that green light. Watch this space for updates as we continue to navigate with the City and our funding partners. We will fully brief the membership when there are substantive developments or proposals to consider. 

 

Motion presented to the Sunnyhill Membership, 3rd October 2021

The Planning and Development Committee moves that SHC approves submitting applications to CMHC and FCM for the capital funding phase of the redevelopment project, which will include design development, construction, and warranty. The applications would be based on pro-forma projections prepared by Boundary Design and the Altus Group that achieve a minimum debt service cover ratio of 1.10 which means that Sunnyhill can pay off all of our debt and operating costs and still have 10% of our income remaining for future needs and development.

Moved/seconded/carried unanimously

 

 The merits of the housing cooperative model are not understood. It is one reason why our conversation with the City is taking so long. See this from the CBC: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/co-op-housing-affordability-1.6374412

Board and Budget Update

Submitted by Kevin Chaney, on behalf of the SHC Board of Directors

Over a third of our 66 member households met on February 26 over Zoom to discuss the upcoming budget.  The budget is our plan to invest in our vision for Sunnyhill, considering both our current and our long-term needs. We identify the cash and reserves we will eventually need to fund capital replacements now and in the future.

 

At the meeting, we reviewed how our revenue from housing charges funds our annual operating budget and planned capital replacements, with the balance added to our reserves.  We now earn very little interest on our bank balance, meaning that it makes more sense to use our money toward the upkeep of our buildings, a major theme in this year’s budget. 

 

In 2018, Sunnyhill hired a third-party engineering firm to undertake a Building Condition Assessment (BCA).  The assessment outlined about $2.2 million of capital replacements that would be needed up to 2026, including roofing, windows, balconies, and interior upgrades. We fortunately have about $970,000 in available equity set aside, but we may need to add to that total. An upsetting recent news article about inadequate reserves for a Toronto condominium building provides a cautionary tale.

 

Condo owners in aging building face $14M in repairs. If they can't pay their part, they risk losing homes
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/condominum-toronto-owners-repairs-1.6323195 

 

Our P&D consultant suggests setting aside and spending about 5% of our total asset value (currently about $130,000) annually on capital replacements. This year’s plan would have us spend about $160,000, with a heavy focus on bathroom replacements, as many of our 44-year-old bathrooms need work to address ventilation issues or accumulating water damage.  Needed exterior work may be handled through the proposed Deep Green Retrofit project.

 

Your Board will meet in the coming days to recommend the housing charge increase for the 2022 budget. In considering the housing charge for the upcoming year, we will need to balance affordability needs with the financial sustainability of Sunnyhill and the long-term viability of our buildings. The Board will present its recommendation as a motion at our upcoming March 26 general meeting, where you will be able to vote on the motion.  

 

Thank you to the Finance Committee (Jane, Meagan, Helen) for their assistance and budget suggestions. Being successful with our finances depends on members, as shareholders in our co-operative, participating in approving and funding the budget through our housing charges, and in facilitating the plan to spend the approved budget.  

 

Part of implementing that plan is having the right people to support the work. We are pleased to introduce Jose Monagas as our permanent Property Coordinator, who was selected by SACHA following a “rigorous interviewing process of many individuals”. Committee Chairs are encouraged to introduce themselves and discuss ways in which Jose could assist with your committee work. One of the items arising from the budget discussion was how the Property Coordinator might be better able to support regular unit inspections.

 

Also, the Board is aware that some committees (Member's Concerns, Member Involvement and Personnel) have vanished over the years. These committees are vital toward maintaining a healthy co-operative community and we welcome volunteers interested in heading up their revival. Otherwise, the tasks tend to fall back on the shoulder of the Board which then deflects from its governance role. A general meeting is being planned for May 14 where we can discuss committee involvement together.

 

Finally, the Board is grateful to have Robert Perry join as interim Chair for the next few months and share his experience with us.

 

Stay tuned for notice regarding the budget vote on Saturday March 26!

 

 

Kevin Chaney

for the SHC Board of Directors

Member Selection Committee Updates and Call for Volunteers

Submitted by Jaime Muneoka, on behalf of the Member Selection Committee

On January 1 we said goodbye to our friends, Richard Harrison and Lisa Rouleau and we welcomed Kikue Nomura and Matthew Young to unit 18.

The Member Selection Committee has lost multiple members to moves this last year. The member selection meets on an as needed basis, very often under tight deadlines. If you are interested in joining our committee, please reach out to anyone on our team (Emma Thursby, Susan Russell or Jaime Muneoka).

Celebrating Black History Month

Submitted by Agnieszka Wolska

Kalina, Tosia, Emmett and I (Agnieszka) went to visit a place called Amber Valley, north of Edmonton, here in Alberta, last summer. 

Amber Valley was the first and most Northerly Black Settlement in this part of Canada, made up of African American Settlers who came to Canada to escape segregation in Oklahoma. The children’s ancestors on Kevin’s side were amongst this community who lived in Amber Valley, and we wanted to find where they were resting. 

While we were visiting the grave sites, a Canadian Senator Paula Simons was also visiting at the same time. And during our visit, the Senator and her film crew interviewed my kids and features them in a mini documentary!

https://youtu.be/MsRkZz1KJB0

 This is a beautiful and little known part of the history of our province!

 Also, the people depicted on the Canada Post stamp commemorating Amber Valley are also relatives by marriage. 

 If you are interested in other documentaries and articles, please check out these resources:

 

Furnace Filters and XC Ski Gear

Submitted By Bob Bott

Recent furnace maintenance changed the configuration of the filter for my furnace. (I now use 20 X 16 X 1 if anyone has extras.) As a result, I have three 16 X 25 X 1 filters and one 20 X 25 X 1 filter that I’ll give away to anyone who needs them.

I have given up most skiing and now have an assortment of cross-country, back-country, and Telemark gear that I’d be happy to get out of my closet. Skis and poles would probably suit a person between 5-6 and 5-10 (165-180 cm), and boots should fit men’s US 9 or Euro 42. Also some avalanche safety gear.

 Bob Bott 837, 403-283-7560, bottr@nucleus.com

Sunnyhill Christmas Party

Submitted by James Jordan on behalf of the Social Committee

On the evening of December 16th listen carefully and you will hear Carollers a-wassailing from door to door at 7pm. They are joined by Father Christmas himself who will be delivering holiday cheer to every house.

Then, don your toque and mittens and join your neighbours around a fire pit by the lending library. There will be hot drinks, chips, cookies and marshmallows for roasting.

At 8pm Father Christmas will sit at the fire and share a story or two while the Carollers inspire us with more songs to come together in harmony.

BYO Cups and roasting rods.

Merry Christmas, one and all.
Sunnyhill Social Committee

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